Putting Your Digital Estate Plan in Place

Key takeaways:

  • Why do you need a digital estate plan?
  • What you should do ahead of time
  • What you can do now
  • What may be included in the plan
  • Coordinate your plan

Why do you need a digital estate plan?

Digital Estate Planning matters in today’s world. Much of our financial records, personal files, photographs, and accounts now exist primarily online.

Have you stopped to consider what happens to that information if you become incapacitated or die?

Sharing passwords may not do the trick or give legal authority for someone to use your account. A plan should be put in place to ensure that your digital legacy is protected.

What You Should Decide Ahead of Time

  • What should be preserved or shared
  • What should be transferred or closed
  • What should be deleted or kept private
  • Whether platform rules limit access or transfer

What You Can Do Now

  • Create a secure inventory of important accounts and records
  • Organize passwords, device passcodes, and recovery information
  • Back up irreplaceable files and photographs
  • Review legacy contact and inactive account settings
  • Align platform directions with estate planning documents

What May Be Included

  • Email and social media accounts
  • Cloud storage, digital photos, and electronic records
  • Online business accounts, websites, and domain names
  • Cryptocurrency, reward points, and subscription accounts

Coordinate Your Plan

  • Ask whether your will, trust, or power of attorney addresses digital assets and electronic communications
  • Tell a trusted person where your inventory and instructions are stored
  • Review the plan as accounts, technology, and your wishes change

Content provided by Focus Financial Partners, LLC

See also:

This is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific investment, tax, or legal advice. The information provided does not purport to present a complete picture, but Focus believes the information is representative of issues and needs facing some clients. Individuals should seek advice from their wealth advisor or other advisors before undertaking actions in response to the matters discussed. No client or prospective should assume the above information serves as the receipt of, or substitute for, personalized individual advice.

This represents the opinions of Focus, may contain forward-looking statements, and presents information that may change. Nothing contained in this communication may be relied upon as a guarantee, promise, assurance, or representation as to the future. This

is prepared using third party sources considered to be reliable; however, accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. The information provided will not be updated any time after the date of publication.

Please be advised that Focus only shares video and content through our website or other official sources. Services and investment advice are only provided pursuant to an advisory agreement with the client. Focus’ Form ADV Part 2A and 2B and Privacy Statement will be provided as required by law and include a description of fees payable for investment advisory services.

Services are offered through Focus Advisor Solutions, LLC (“Focus”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training and does not imply that the SEC has endorsed or approved the qualifications of Focus or its representatives. Focus has been part of the Focus Financial Partners partnership since 2007. Prior to July 2026, Focus Advisor Solutions was named Focus Partners Advisor Solutions.

©2026 Focus Financial Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. RO-26-5862143

Sources:

Uniform Law Commission, Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (2015), Final Act with Comments Uniform Law Commission, Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act — Committee Archive

Uniform Law Commission, Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act — Legislative Bill Tracking Delaware Code, Title 12, Chapter 50 — Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets and Digital Accounts

U.S. Code, 18 U.S.C. § 2702 — Voluntary Disclosure of Customer Communications or Records Kitces, How RUFADAA Is Changing Digital Estate Planning

Kitces, Why Managing Digital Assets Is Critical in Estate Planning Morningstar, Helping Clients Manage Their Digital Estate Plans American Bar Association, How to Protect Digital Assets in an Estate Plan

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Digital Identity Guidelines, SP 800-63-4 Internal Revenue Service, Digital Assets